March 20, 2009

Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) applauds the announcement of an agreement between Aurora Water and the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District (LAVWCD). Both entities have arrived at a settlement which meets their respective needs and protects existing water rights. This settlement will in large part put to rest a long expensive legal battle between the two communities, while promoting cooperation towards the long term health of the Arkansas River Basin.

“Water is Colorado’s most precious resource. I applaud this agreement between Aurora Water and the LAVWCD. In the end each worked together to benefit everyone involved toward a long term solution. Aurora continues to grow and be a major economic engine for Colorado and acquiring water will allow this to happen in a responsible way that benefits all of Colorado. This agreement is a model of how to resolve long standing water disputes which benefits all parties. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress and local authorities to responsibly manage Colorado’s water resources,” stated Perlmutter.

Listed below are some highlights of the proposed LAVWCD/Aurora Settlement agreement:

· Aurora’s support for water quality investigations and remediation.

· Aurora’s cooperation on future water exchanges by Lower basin entities.
· Aurora’s support in establishing, and potential future participation in, the Super Ditch leasing/fallowing program.

· Aurora’s pledge to cooperate on future storage construction and operations.

· Aurora’s support for the Arkansas Valley conduit and a funding method for Aurora to assist in paying for the conduit.

· A financial investment by Aurora in both Fountain Creek remediation activities and initiatives designed to promote agricultural and the leasing/fallowing program though studies and infrastructure construction.

· Aurora’s commitment to address revegetation needs in Crowley County.

· Passage of federal legislation confirming the Bureau of Reclamation’s right to execute long-term excess capacity contracts with Aurora.

· Dismissal of the pending federal court legal challenge to the Bureau’s contract with Aurora.

· LAVWCD’s support of Aurora’s continued farming program.

· Lower’s recognition of the Aurora/Rocky Ford Highline exchange filing and contractual arrangement.

· LAVWCD stipulation or withdrawal in pending water court filings.

The next steps to solidify the agreement include court action, cooperation from the Bureau of Reclamation and Congressional legislation to implement the settlement.

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